Derickson & DeStefano Selected as Landmark Conference Softball Player & Pitcher of the Week
TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University senior shortstop Samantha Derickson and senior pitcher/right fielder Sarah DeStefano has been selected as the Landmark Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week for their performances last week.
TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University senior shortstop Samantha Derickson and senior pitcher/right fielder Sarah DeStefano has been selected as the Landmark Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week for their performances last week.
The duo helped the Greyhounds to a 6-0 mark including a sweep of Elizabethtown College on Sunday to clinch the top seed and right to host the 2026 Landmark Conference Tournament at Blue & Grey Field on May 8-10. In addition to sweeping the Blue Jays, Moravian also defeated York College of Pennsylvania twice and FDU-Florham two times to go 6-0 at home during the week.
Derickson led the Blue & Grey at the plate as she went 9-for-18 for a .500 batting average to go with four runs, two doubles, a triple and four RBIs. She had a .722 slugging percentage to go with a .550 on-base percentage, and Derickson recorded nine putouts and 19 assists in 28 chances at shortstop. She hit safely in all six games as Derickson was 3-for-7 on the day against York, 3-for-6 versus FDU-Florham and 3-for-5 against Elizabethtown.
"Sam had a great week both offensively and defensively," stated Head Coach Josh Baltz. "She is seeing the ball really well right now and consistently putting together quality at-bats. She produced at a high level and was a strong presence in the middle of our lineup. Defensively, she had a very solid week and continues to make plays in big moments."
DeStefano, who has been the Landmark Conference Pitcher of the Week twice already this spring, went 3-0 in the circle with a 0.70 ERA with a shutout and 16 strikeouts in 20 innings of work, and she also hit .278 with five hits, a run and three RBIs to go with six putouts and five assists. DeStefano scattered three hits and struck out six in 2-0 win over York, and she earned a 5-3 victory over FDU-Florham with four strikeouts. DeStefano finished the week with a six-strikeout performance in a 5-1 win versus Elizabethtown.
"Sarah had a strong week in the circle while also contributing offensively and in the outfield," noted Baltz. "At this point in the season, to have three starts against quality opponents and produce the results she did is very impressive. This recognition is a testament to her hard work and competitiveness."
Moravian is scheduled to return to the diamond on Saturday, May 2 in a Landmark Conference doubleheader at Juniata College beginning at 1:00 p.m.
